The bodies of three swimmers who went missing in the Mississippi River near Diamond Island July 3 were found early July 5, according to the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office.

At 7:35 p.m. July 3, Goodhue County Dispatch received a 911 call about a man in the water at the mouth of the Vermillion River where it enters the Mississippi.

According to the news release, a family gathering was taking place on the north side of Diamond Island on the Vermillion River. One person was fishing from shore while three others were swimming. When the swimmers started struggling in the water, the fisherman entered the water, rescued one adult woman, then reentered the water to rescue the other two. All three went under water and did not resurface. The 911 call was made 10-15 minutes later.

The GCSO Water Patrol responded within 10 minutes, along with Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and Red Wing Fire Department. The groups searched for three hours before darkness and inclement weather shut down the search.

The two men and teen girl, who were from the same household in Oakdale, Minn., were inexperienced swimmers and did not have life vests on. According to the news release, the area they were swimming in was 3 feet deep; however, the river bottom dropped sharply to 8-9 feet. The area is only accessible by boat.

The search began again at 8 a.m. July 4, led by GCSO Water Patrol and Dive Team. Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Wildlife Fish and Game, Minnesota DNR, Northstar Search and Rescue and Red Wing Fire also assisted. The search was conducted in both the Vermillion and Mississippi rivers with parties in the river and in boats, using sonar and other electronic devices.  

The search was unsuccessful July 4 and resumed again Wednesday, July 5. Two bodies were found at 6:53 a.m. and a third at 7:05 a.m. The families have been notified. The Southern MN Regional Medical Examiner’s office will release the names of the victims.